Auto Reviews

Veteran motorhead/automotive journalist Paul Duchene drives thenewest cars so you don't have to... his wisdom in about 300 words.Click on the photos to enlarge. Scroll for more reviews.

Go East, young man…

25 Journalists, 25 sports cars, 500 miles in two days

By Paul Duchene, Special to PIR; Photos by Doug Berger

posted 4 months ago

The Run to the Sun has been the premier
new car driving event in the Northwest for more than 20 years. Both journalists
and manufacturers love it, as it combines spectacular scenery with 500 miles of
twisting roads and relatively little traffic.

The quality of vehicles provided for the
test has gone up steadily over the years, but everyone agreed that the 2014
event, which took place September 10-11, showcased the best-ever lineup.

The Run to the Sun has been held in
various parts of western Washington and Oregon, over the years, but recently the
route has stabilized. The currently route winds though the Cascade mountains of
northwest Oregon, around 11,000-foot Mt. Hood, then shoots into the wide-open high
desert country east of Bend.

The event now starts from a hotel at
Portland International Airport, so manufacturers and journalists can fly in,
and depart easily too. The ride overnights at Sisters in central Oregon, and karaoke
at Hardtails bar has become a popular feature late in the evening.

Journalists trade cars every 20 or 30
miles, while manufacturer’s representatives act as navigators with route maps,
answer questions and prevent over-exuberant driving. Bone-headed behavior can
result in a driver being sent home in the middle of the event. You have been
warned.

If you’re an accredited journalist who’s
interested in participating next year, drop the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) a line at www.nwapa.org to
join the organization. If you fancy the Run to the Sun, sign up as soon as the
2015 dates are announced, as the list fills up quickly.

Rather than write about every car that
was entered, I’ll focus on my top 10 and list the others at the end. It’s
strictly subjective, but hey, it’s MY list. Yours would probably be different.

1) Alfa Romeo 4C

Thrilling mid-engine coupe marks Alfa
Romeo’s return to the U.S. after 20 years (the 8C was a red herring). Rosso
Competizione paint is an extra $1,500, but worth every penny. Durability is the
only question mark; maybe a three-year lease?

PROS:
Looks great from any angle; comfortable, corners on rails. As fast as a
Lotus Evora – but $25,000 cheaper. Musical exhaust note, 6-speed DCT
transmission can be set to auto or paddle-shift manual. In “racing” mode, it
automatically double clutches, like Steve McQueen’s Mustang in (the sound track
of ) 1968’s “Bullitt.”

CONS: Complete carbon fiber tub, with
nose about 3 inches off the ground and no bumper. What appears to be a
removable bonnet is actually a solid casting, with steering and suspension
locked away underneath. “Engine under Glass” is handsome, but somebody’s going
to have to work on it. Room for a small soft-sided bag in mini-trunk. Book a
great hotel and don’t let the valet
park it.

PROS: Great take-off, brilliant handling.
Comes in four levels of gadgetry Mega/Giga/Tera and Pure Impulse. Butterfly
doors hinged on A-pillars draw crowds, as do rear Manta Ray wings. Genuinely
looks like the future.

CONS: Infernally complicated – the
downside of new technology. Chunky carbon fiber A-pillars very difficult to see
past on tight turns. Rapid running on remote country roads on Day Two sent car
into 40 mph limp-home mode. It recovered at lunch to manage 70 mph, and
overheated batteries were suspected. Passenger who managed to get into
“2-crush-2” rear seat could not get out without assistance. Reportedly sold out
for four years, but its complexity makes it a lease candidate, if you can find
one.

Mad Max monster vividly illustrates what
modern technology can do for the 1960s muscle car. Supercharged 6.2 liter, 707
bhp Hemi V8 with 8-speed automatic (though 6-speed stick is offered). The
800-pound gorilla that everybody stared at and grinned. Drivers in other cars
always waved it by to get the full effect of a low-level pass from a WWII Grumman
F6F Hellcat.

PROS: Feels well sorted, very stable,
direct steering, great brakes. A big heavy car, but combines the bulk of a
weight lifter with good balance. Be sure you’re pointing where you want to go
when you floor it. Valet key which limits the engine to 4,000 rpm and allows
only 2nd gear starts is a nice touch. Does 0-60 in 4.1 seconds, ¼
mile in 11.2 seconds at about 120 mph.

CONS: This car deserves an appearance
package; a big wing, or an unforgettable paint job. Right now, it’s possible to
order it in stealth colors, not a good idea, considering how fast it is. Tires
and brakes will cost you a fortune if you drive it exuberantly. Front spoiler
is very low. Expensive, but as Dirty Harry said “This is the most powerful
handgun in the world and will blow your head clean off.” Amen to that.

Superfast convertible for the
conservative one-percent, though Glacier Blue is the color of cheap eye shadow
on certain blondes. “S” designation should be just $, but you get a 521 bhp
Twin Turbo V8, and a claimed 191 mph top speed. Now all you have to find is
someplace to do that.

PROS: All-wheel drive, and well balanced, though you will be aware
of 5,500 lbs wanting to go sideways. Gadgets lean to luxury, with power
everything, heated/cooled seats, neck warmer, contrasting stitching, beautiful
dash, etc. With the three-layer top up you almost want to whisper. The car
you’d keep until a new model comes out.

CONS:
Mind-bogglingly expensive for a car (however well made) which looks like
an Audi that went to a Swiss finishing school. Seems to be aimed at an “old”
young person, or maybe an aging boomer who made a lot of money and thinks this
represents an adventurous spirit. Such buyers may be seen with their nieces at
The Quail Concours in Carmel Valley.

New model in 2014. One of the most
successful recent designs, with a Bentley Continental R-Type fastback and
suicide front doors, to ease rear seat access. Powered by 6.6-liter 624 bhp V12
with rear-wheel drive. U.S. Wraith package costs $38,825 but includes heads-up
display, lane departure warning, night vision, camera system and other extras. Quiet
as a crypt, simple dash with no gadgets, which conceals 10.25-inch screen. Perfect
finish everywhere. The Spirit of Ecstasy retracts into the grill when the car
is parked.

PROS: Somebody you’ve never met cares a lot
about you. Compared to the New Brutalism of the monstrous Phantoms, this is
subtle and quite tasteful, unless you go for OPEC colors. Suicide doors make for
easy access; they’re big, but have closing assistance, and there is an umbrella
hidden inside the A-pillar. Every conceivable comfort you can imagine is
included.

CONS: It might be small for a
Rolls-Royce, but it’s big compared to everything else. You’ll need a
significant income to drive it without regard to expense. Oddly, the retracting
Spirit of Ecstasy is much smaller than the one you’re used to seeing, which
makes the car look even bigger.

On last year’s Run to the Sun we had a
Jaguar F-Type convertible, with a 380 bhp supercharged- V6. The car was praised
for its light feel, excellent balance and F1 exhaust wail. This year brought
the 550 bhp V8 R Type coupe, which was only about 100 lbs heavier and with an
extra 170 bhp. It was a rocket.

PROS: Handsome, comfortable, very smart
telemetry that tracks steering and throttle by the second. 0-60 mph in under 4
seconds, top speed limited to 186 mph, but you’ll have to go to an Air Force base or
the Autobahn to check that out. Dynamic setting on active exhaust means you will wake the neighbors.

CONS: Some interior gear seems a bit
cheap, only 11 cubic feet of luggage space in the pointed tail (still 3 cubic
feet better than the roadster). Front spoiler very low. 8-speed quick-shift
automatic transmission works fine, but I’d still like a 6-speed stick. Still
looks too much like the last XKR and not enough like the E-type, for me.

Twenty years after the Impala SS, Rip
Van Winkle Chevrolet gets a phone call from Australia. The 415 bhp V8-powered
Holden Commodore is coming home, and it’s made good. I guess the earlier
Pontiac G8 never got a green card. At first available only a police package
Caprice, the Holden is now available as a shorter-wheelbase four-door Chevrolet
Super Sport sedan, just in time for GM to pull out of Australia.

PROS: Rock solid, old-time GM tech, but
much faster (160 mph), and with first-class brakes and very good handling. 0-60
in 4.5 seconds, ¼ mile in 12.9 seconds at 111 mph. Has the older LS3 V8 motor,
so variable valve timing and direct fuel injection still to come, but a good
6-speed automatic transmission. Pulls 0.95g on the skid pad and isn’t upset by
bumpy corners.

CONS: Styling is a bit bland, as is the
interior, but it’s consistent with GM style, and in the old days would have
been shared with Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Buick. Next year should bring a
version of the Corvette LT1 V8 and a 6-speed manual transmission. I’d wait
until then, or take a lease for now. It needs a real spare tire. A bottle of
sticky goo won’t won’t fix a cut.

How to feel like a successful German
heart surgeon in Berlin with a place in the Bavarian Alps. This mile-eater is the
equivalent of a Cessna 172, but quieter and much more comfortable. The driver
assistance programs aren’t intrusive, but they keep you on the road, observe and
monitor other traffic and conditions, warm (or cool) you and keep you
comfortable, with six types of massage and even scented air-conditioning. The
twin-turbo, 4.6 liter DOHC V8 generates 449 horsepower and the seven-speed
paddle shift speeds you 0-60 in 4.9 second, to an electronically limited 132
mph. All-wheel drive keeps the weather at bay.

PROS: This car is supremely competent.
It is silent, elegant, fast, pretty simple to operate, without a dizzying
number of controls, and with more gadgets than you can imagine, like parking
assist, pre-safe braking with pedestrian recognition and cross-traffic assist.
These you immediately decide you must have in the future, including the
Burmester high-end 3D surround system. If you’ve ever fed your cat a special
treat you’ll know what I mean. That’s what he wants from now on.

CONS: It’s not cheap, it’s big, and it is
unbelievably complicated. Fortunately it’s a top-of-the-line Mercedes, so it’s
likely to last, but you’re unlikely to buy it unless you need it.

The Scion FR-S and Subaru BR-Z were a
mystery to me, until I drove them on an earlier the Run to the Sun. Their
signature is uncannily like my old Porsche 911SC. Dimensionally, it feels like
I’m sitting in exactly the same place. The pair are reasonably priced 2+2
sports cars that do exactly what is required of them. The Scion outsells the
Subaru, possibly because Subaru people demand 4X4 capability. Both are plain
inside and the 200 bhp flat four is adequate, but they handle well, and they’re
economical. Rumors persist of a convertible in 2015 and a maniacal Scion AWD
world rally car

PROS: Exceptionally well balanced, with
the engine up against the firewall, very nice six-speed, good brakes, great
road feedback, posi-traction, decent economy, good looking and affordable.

CONS: Needs more power: maybe a
turbocharger? Seats are comfortable but interior very plain. Could use more
signature colors, apart from the orange metallic. Unremarkable in dark colors.

Fiat 500s have been around in Europe since
2007, but the Abarth is the car that should have arrived first in the U.S. with
160 bhp and 129 mph and harmonic exhaust note. With air conditioning, satellite
radio and a roll back convertible top, it’s capable and comparable but its
charm keeps it ahead, especially some of its stunning interior designs. Who can
forget Catrinel Menghia, the model in the TV ad? Scroll down after the ad and check
out what she’s really saying: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL0Gb24Lw_s

PROS: Significant “look at me factor”
especially in the best colors, with contrasting stripes and convertible
top. The turbo-charged engine is
stronger than you’d think and the handling is utterly predictable. Lots of fun
for the money.

CONS: Unless this survives as an icon,
which it could do, expanding the line could be difficult. Mini has hit the
wall, facing just that problem. Long-term durability still unknown and back
seat for short distances only.

Dislikes: 40-60
split back seat is a squeeze for adults. Handsome mag wheels are frighteningly
vulnerable to curb damage and there is no spare – just a fix-a-flat, which
often won’t do. Chassis flexes on bumpy roads, front spoiler rather low for
parking lots.

Fun to drive ***

Fun to look at ****

Overall ownership
experience ***

Verdict: Pretty
car with good manners. Like all Hyundai and Kia offerings, this combines a
competitive price with decent performance. Even with the $4,200 technology
package, which also includes sunroof, heater leather seats, automatic projector
headlights and LED running lights and taillights, it’s still under $25K. Estimated
mileage was close to real figures, but as usual I’d have preferred a 6-speed
stick and I bet I could have done better on the highway.

2014 Lexus GS460 SUV

Price: $55,815

Gas mileage: 15 mpg city, 20 highway

posted 7 months ago

Likes: Redesigned with a spindle
nose to fit in with the other Lexus models, but most recognizable as a Toyota
Land Cruiser. In some markets it’s actually sold as the top-line Land Cruiser
Prado. All of which means this is a truck with a separate frame and eight
inches of ground clearance. It also has a full-time four-wheel drive system with
locking Torsen limited-slip center differential and a low-range transfer case. You
will not get stuck. On the other hand you’re not likely to risk this much money
herding cattle on your 50,000-acre spread, or attempting to cross the Darien
Gap. The 4.6-liter 32-valve DOHC V8 generates 301 bhp, moves the 5,200 pound rig
from 0-60 in 7.8 seconds, and enables you to pull 6,500 pounds, which is a very
large boat. Additional gadgets include ABS with electronic brake force
distribution, brake assist and stability control and trailer sway control. Push-button
start-up is convenient and practically universal now. Ten-way front seats have
a memory system; the middle row seat splits 60/40, while the third seat
is 50/50. The eight-inch touch screen offers navigation with voice-command and
real-time weather and traffic conditions; the stereo includes MP3 and USB port, Sirius
XM and Bluetooth hands-free phoning. The test car had the $4,000 Premium
package (there is now one above this) but this one has leather interior, with
heated and cooled front seats, heated outboard second row seats, and three-zone climate
control. This car also had the $800 blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert,
which at least enables you to sense how dangerous other drivers are - before
they hit you. The car is stuffed with 10
airbags: driver and passenger have front, side and knee; second row has side,
and all three have side curtains. Automatic collision notification is
accompanied by a stolen vehicle tracker and an emergency assist button.

Gripes: Not many; it’s a big vehicle that’s designed
to minimize your awareness of that, so the experience of driving it is pretty
insulated. The third seat is only suitable for children, and the nose is
something only a mother could love.

Fun to drive ***

Fun to look at **

Overall experience***

Verdict: This is
overkill for soccer moms, but it’ll probably make them feel more secure. It’s
also nice to know that its limits will probably never be tested by 99 percent
of the owners. You get a lot for your money and it’ll last over 250,000 miles
with decent maintenance. That’s 22 cents a mile in depreciation over 16 and a
half years, at the current average of 15,000 miles a year. You’ll buy 14,705
gallons of gas in that time and if it stays at $4 a gallon, you’ll spend
$58,823, or roughly what the GX460 costs you to buy. There’s a certain symmetry
to that.

2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Price as tested: $32,285

Gas mileage: 21 city, 28 highway

posted 8 months ago

Likes: By the
time you read this, the new MX-5 will be on its way, as 2014 was the last of
the original model, which was in production for 25 years and sold 1 million
examples. In that time, the DOHC four cylinder engine grew from 1.6 to 2-liters
and from 116 bhp to 167 bhp. The Miata increased in price from $13,995 to
$32,285, lost its pop-up headlights in 1998, gained an optional 6-speed gearbox
in 2005 and a retractable hardtop in 2009. The final version is roughly two
inches longer, wider and taller than the first one, and also available with a
6-speed automatic transmission. It’s more spacious inside, but all the gauges
and switches remain familiar. Power rack and pinion steering is standard, along
with disc brakes and a very smooth 6-speed manual transmission. The optional
folding hardtop is even simpler than the old convertible top, with a latch in
the center and “up” and “down” switches. Heated seats are leather, there are
power windows and door locks with a remote. Safety equipment includes multiple airbags. AM/FM/MP3/XM/CD with
iPod and USB jacks. Automatic climate controls, push button start with smart
key.

Gripes: No spare
tire, which means trunk is actually larger than previous models. However a tire
pressure warning light offers little comfort compared to a dink spare, which
I’d be inclined to buy.

Fun to drive ****

Fun to look at ****

Overall experience****

Verdict: The MX-5
is the most successful sports car ever built and will be a tough act to follow.
It remains a thoroughly reliable, ideal first collector car, and with so many
built prices are likely to remain reasonable. The local Mazda/Toyota wrecking
yard has observed that if it wasn’t for the immensely popular Spec-Miata
racing, they wouldn’t sell any parts at all. A colleague has one with 404,000
recorded miles, and it still looks nice.

2014 Kia Soul

Price: $26,195

Gas mileage: 23 mpg city, 31 highway

posted 9 months ago

Likes: After four years, the popular SUV gets its first makeover, though it’s pretty subtle and actually smooths some of the character lines. The 2-liter DOHC 4-cylinder is recalibrated for lower torque and does 0-60 mph in 8.7 seconds, thanks to 164-horsepower and variable valve timing. The six-speed automatic transmission returns 31 mpg highway.

Gripes: Not as much storage as the Scion xB’s 70 cubic feet. At this price you might expect AWD, and not offering the option is a surprising mistake. Sun & Sound package is a whopping $2,600 for nav, Sirius, heated leather seats and auto climate control; The Whole Shebang package is another $2,500 for remote key, heated and ventilated leather seats. I double-checked my math, and 19 mpg in the city was true and not good enough. Rear seats belt can be damaged by latches when return seatbacks to vertical.

Fun to drive ***

Fun to look at ****

Overall experience****

Verdict: This small SUV is well-designed and continues to be a big hit for Kia with 118,000 sold in 2013 – nearly double the entire Scion line. The 164 bhp engine scoots it right along, and it handles fairly well for a tall box. Surprisingly Kia never did exploit the 2012 Track’ster idea, even though the similar Hyundai Veloster made it to production. The Track’ster’s chopped, three-door concept, had a 250-horsepower turbo four, 6-speed manual transmission, fender flares, wide wheels, and electronic all-wheel drive. Perhaps 19 mpg would have been acceptable in that.

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe LTD AWD

Price as tested: $41,310

Gas mileage: 18 mpg city, 24 highway

posted 9 months ago

Likes: Hyundai steps up their game with this long wheelbase Santa Fe. It’s powered by a 290 bhp 3.3-liter direct injection V6, with seven-passenger seating and 5,000 towing capability. It’s also faster than the five-passenger turbo 4-cylinder Sport model, with 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds.

Gripes: Mileage is marginal, but the turbo four didn’t do any better and this is a LOT more car. Restricted rear visibility with 3rd seat headrests makes backup camera essential, and mirrors must be checked, but blind spot monitor is a big help. The ride suffers when it’s fully loaded, as a lot of weight is biased to the rear. The technology package seems a bit steep at $5,000, until you look at the overall price, which is remarkable.

Fun to drive ***

Fun to look at ***

Overall experience***

Verdict: The Santa Fe Sport is now the 5-passenger SWB version, while the former Veracruz is now this LWB model. Just like Kia, Hyundai is determined to think out of the box, to good effect. Comparison shoppers should check out the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV-4, Honda CRV, Subaru Outback and Ford Escape, but frankly, at $41,000 with AWD and every conceivable option, this is would be a very good choice.

Dislikes: It’s not really a sport sedan, even on sport
settings, but it’s very quiet and fast. Equus name is cool, but badge looks
rather like the old Chrysler Imperial eagle, with wings that aren’t so
well-defined. The leather interior is attractive, but it’s pretty soft, so who
knows how it will wear. I’d like to see AWD and a hybrid, and at this price there’s
room for both options.

Fun to drive ***

Fun to look at ****

Overall ownership experience ***

Verdict: With about 250 of these being sold each month, the
Equus is 10 times rarer than the smaller and more anonymous Genesis. The $72,000
Lexus LS 460 is the obvious competitor, but that delivers only 386 bhp and the
front-end design is a disaster. The Equus looks good from any angle. To get the
same performance from a Lexus, you’d have to spend $120,000 for the LS 600lh, and
about $100,000 for the others. The Equus is no VW Phaeton flop; ex-Audi designer
Pete Schreyer also designed the Kia K900, which has been very well-received.
The Equus seems like a gift horse at $68,920, and unlike the Lexus, you can
look this one in the mouth.

Gripes: Offensively
noisy at highway speeds. Fragilegrey
cloth interior is one coffee spill from permanent disaster. No navigation,
leather or XM at this price. Quirky dash now has irritating touch screen – even
for radio volume. Transmission pauses before shifting into reverse, like an old
VW Rabbit. Doors lock passengers in, which annoys them. Only 29 mpg in mixed
driving.

Fun to drive *

Fun to look at *

Overall experience*

Verdict: Some
cars are IQ tests; this is one of them. It’s a $16,500 car for $22,000. Bland,
noisy, flimsy – the overall finish feels like a Fit. It’s an airport rental if
ever I drove one. Honda and Toyota are struggling, and they’re falling into the
old Big Three trap: they’re cutting corners on their cheap cars. Apparently
they have forgotten that the value of their cheap cars in the past enabled them
sell happy customers more expensive
ones. Last year I wrote I’d buy a
one or two year-old Honda Accord or a Toyota Camry and never look back. This
time I’ll go further. Buy a new Kia or Hyundai, and combine value with style.

2014 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite

Price as tested: $45,280

Gas mileage: 19 city, 28 highway

posted 1 year ago

Likes: On balance this is still the
class leader, though the Toyota Sienna is close. It has a 248-horsepower, 3.5-liter
V-Tec, SOHC V6 which provides 0-60 mph in 7.9 seconds. Six-speed automatic,
4-wheel disc brakes. Finally dash buttons are reduced from 80 to 20. Heated
front seats, can take seven adults easily, rear access is reasonable. Second
row center seat can be moved forward to accommodate child seat, tumble-home
third row disappears into floor. Tilt-telescope wheel, multiple-zone climate
control, navigation with voice recognition, 16” DVD in rear can be split for
two functions. 12-speaker AM/FM/DVD/XM stereo with MP3, Bluetooth, USB port and
headsets. Noise-canceling technology quiet at highway speed, Superior brakes
and handling for a minivan, multiple airbags, power everything, brake assist,
electronic brake distribution, power moonroof, rear view camera, blind spot
warning, collision warning, lane departure warning. Two power sliding doors,
power tailgate. Enormous: 38 cubic feet with all seats in place, 93 when third
row folded, 148 when second row removed.

Dislikes:
Expensive
when fully loaded, though LX model does start at $28,675. Power
side doors are fiddly to work. Second row seats must be removed for maximum
storage; they do not fold forward or down, which is quite a nuisance. No 4WD availability, and
standard tires useless in snow.

Fun
to drive ***

Fun
to look at
**

Overall
ownership experience ***

Verdict:
Still the
best mini-van you can buy – though you won’t spend this much unless you have a
job for it to do. That said, it has near Accord performance in something that
feels twice as big. With seats removed, it was able to transport three 72-inch
by 31-inch by 12-inch bookcases. Tumble-home third row seats still a brilliant idea. However the Toyota Sienna
offers AWD – and at this price you’d probably want it – while the Nissan Quest and
Dodge Grand caravan have a second row of seats that fold away. Still, if you
have multiple kids who play sports, you can figure on a useful 250K miles from
the Odyssey. This might be the only car your children know, until they start
driving themselves.

2014 Mazda6 I Grand Touring Sedan

Price as tested: $32,845

Gas mileage: 28 city, 40 highway

posted 1 year ago

Likes: The latest
version of the Mazda6 is the company’s BMW 3-Series and remains well regarded in
Europe, where people drive their cars much harder than here. It’s now built for
American measurements and is an excellent performer, with a distinctive driving
signature. The DOHC, 2.5-liter, 185 bhp Sky-Active four scoots it from 0-60 in 7.6
seconds, through a six-speed automatic, with well-sorted suspension and brakes.
Traffic proximity warnings are useful, along with a rear camera to account for
the high trunk. It has multiple airbags and side curtains, ABS, dynamic
stability, traction control and hill-start assist. The interior is simple but
well-finished with intelligent dash layout and dual-zone climate controls. Leather
seats are comfortable; the rear seat is adult-sized and splits 40/60 to fold
flat. Stereo includes MP3/Bluetooth capability and CD. Navigation system is
adequate.

Dislikes: Touch
screen is fussy, small and annoying. Just give me switches. Automatic
transmission is smooth, but fussy in sport mode. XM station signed itself off
halfway through a 200-mile trip, and out of cell-phone coverage.

Fun to drive****

Fun to look at ****

Overall ownership experience
***

Verdict: I drive few
new cars I’d buy, but this is still one of them. It’s not aggressively FWD, fast enough, handles and stops well, and has
personality, unlike the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima. The front
end has been transformed from the “Cheshire Cat” to something elegant. I
averaged 30 mpg in mixed driving, which is my benchmark but it did not improve
much on the highway, which was surprising. Perhaps the 6-speed stick would do
better; it’s certainly much more fun to drive.

2014 Lexus RX450h SUV

Price as tested: $62,015

Gas mileage: 30 city, 28 highway

posted 1 year ago

Likes: Probably the most efficient big SUV, with full Prius power
train system. Comfortable and predictable, with 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve Atkinson-cycle
V-6, producing 295 hp. The front-wheel drive models use two motors; one acts as
a starter-generator and the other provides propulsion, while the all-wheel-drive
test vehicle added a third electric motor to drive the rear wheels. 0-60 comes
up in 7.5 seconds, the CVT transmission has manual shifting mode, but adapts to
dual-power system quite well. The interior has a beautiful finish, heated and
cooled comfortable seats, the car is very quiet at speed and gets 30 mpg on the
highway. Three-zone climate control, 10 airbags; all current safety devices,
including collision avoidance, lane-change warning and speed sensitive power
steering. Excellent Mark Levinson stereo, heated and cooled seats, reclining
and slide split rear seat, power rear lift gate, rear camera proximity warning.
The 2014 model adds Siri Eyes Free for newer iPhones.

Gripes: Not that fast off the mark unless you really
tromp on it. Navigation system not intuitive, console infotainment “mouse”
control annoying. No third seat.

Fun to drive ****

Fun to look at ***

Overall experience****

Verdict: If you can manage without the third seat,
this is probably the best SUV you can buy, as it gets 8 or 9 mpg more than the
other big ones. Quiet and surprisingly economical, and will undoubtedly last for
300,000 miles. The basic model is $47,810, but if you’re going to spend that
much, add the comfort package for $825 and get the rain-sensing wipers, and heated
and ventilated front seats. For another $4,920 you get dual rear entertainment
screens with audio video inputs for the kids, navigation and voice
command, and Sirius XM nav-traffic (very
useful). The $6,055 Luxury Package includes leather, moon roof, heated and
folding mirrors, blind spot monitor, bamboo wood trim and 19-inch wheels. You
can also add the Mark Levinson stereo for $995, which is state of the art, and
parking assist for $500 (though if you can’t park it ... should you buy it?).

2014 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 5 Door

Price as tested: $24,635

Gas mileage: 29 city, 40 highway

posted 1 year ago

Likes: Finally, I get a Mazda 3 with the smooth 6-speed manual gearbox it deserves. Mazda’s Skyactive high-compression, 2-liter engine generates 155 bhp and returns 40 mpg on the highway. It’s good for about 8-seconds from 0-60 mph and fast enough to get you a very expensive ticket. The economy/performance package revolves around high compression (13:1) and long intakes that go 4-2-1, so that the extra heat can be dissipated.

The Mazda 3 has excellent handling, thanks to front/rear sway bars, and has effective disc brakes all round. The dash is well-organized, with my favorite “3-wheels” for temp/mode/fan, and numerous steering wheel controls. The stereo delivers the usual AM/FM/CD/XM/MP3 with Bluetooth hands-free phone capability. Extras include air-conditioning with pollen filter, power windows (one-touch up-down on driver’s side), power door locks, and intermittent front and rear wipers. The rear lift gate opens to a good-sized trunk, and rear seats split 60-40. Safety items include multiple air bags, active front headrests, side impact bags, ABS traction control and dynamic stability control.

Dislikes: Rear visibility demands a camera, as the high tail for increased trunk space and almost wagon-sized C-pillars create a noticeable blind spot, thankfully now with a warning light and beep. Road noise is the usual problem.

Fun to drive ****

Fun to look at ****

Overall ownership experience ****

Verdict: The Skyactive engine package gave Mazda a big jump on its competitors when it was introduced, and 40 mpg highway is the price of entry in this class. Road noise is about the same as the Toyota Corolla; it’s annoying but not impossible, like the Honda Civic. The Mazda 3’s gas mileage is up almost 30% from 2011 and it’s competitively priced at a base of $23,500, with just about everything included. This is a driver’s car, that’s quite elegantly designed, beautifully finished, and has a very distinct signature, rather like BMW. Considering that Ford was in partnership with Mazda for so long, it’s amazing how little it learned.

Excellent stereo with AM/FM/CD/XM/MP3 ipod connectivity, hands-free Bluetooth phone and music streaming, etc. Heated seats with taller side bolsters in S package. Rear seat legroom increased by a whopping five inches, and rear seat also splits and folds. LED low-beam lights. Premium package includes keyless entry and push-button start, navigation with traffic and weather display.

Gripes: Continuously variable transmission drones, and still feels like an ordinary box that’s giving up. Paddle shifters pointless, I’d rather have the six-speed manual gearbox. Belt line and trunk seem high, and rear camera is necessary. This is described as an aggressive redesign, but it’s pretty tame.

Fun to drive ***

Fun to look at ***

Overall experience***

Verdict: Still a durable contender in its market segment (my 1996 has 200,000 miles on it), but it feels like it’s being left behind. When the new Honda Accord is getting 50 mpg and European diesels are headed this way with even better figures, 30 mpg around town from a Corolla is not that impressive. To put it in perspective, the city/highway mileage on this car is exactly the same as on my old car, and that’s not good enough any more. Still, Toyota has thrown every option at the Corolla and still brings it in at $23,000 (and you can save $850 if you nix the sunroof). If this car lasts like my old one, somebody will be driving it in 2030, though I’m guessing the gas mileage will be worse than a new Cadillac by then.

2014 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD

Price as tested: $31,890

Gas mileage: 24 City, 30 Highway

posted 1 year ago

Likes: After a couple of flubs (Tribute, good but slow selling CX-7) Mazda has hit the ball solidly with the CX-5. It’s both sporty and useful, with positive steering, good handling and firm ride. The Skyactive DOHC 2-liter four-cylinder engine is boosted to 184 bhp from 155 last year, with direct injection, variable valve-timing and 13:1 compression to make all that happen. 0-60 comes up in about 8 seconds, not bad for a 3,300 lb AWD SUV. The six-speed automatic transmission can be manually shifted, there are disc brakes all round and the steering is electronic, but has good feel. The dash is well-organized and well-finished, including a 5.8-inch screen, with a rear-view camera, and the Grand Touring test car had dual climate controls, heated leather seats (driver’s has 3-position memory), 40-20-40 rear seat split, multiple air bags and rain-sensing wipers. Mulitple airbags were accompanied by ABS, stability control and hill-launch assist. The stereo was a Bose AM/FM/CD/XM/MP3 with Bluetooth hands-free phone capability, and the Nav system was by Tom Tom.

Dislikes: Not many. My main gripe from last year – not enough power – has been addressed. Doors must still be closed firmly or they don’t latch, and that includes the rear hatch. Brake pedal requires firm pressure. Technology package seems a bit steep at $1,825.

Fun to drive ****

Fun to look at ***

Overall ownership experience ****

Verdict: The boost in power and generally sharper exterior design makes this a very competitive rig. It reminds me a lot of what the first Subaru Forester first set out to do, 15 years ago, being smaller than the CX-9 and CX7, but better looking and and more efficient. Call it sensible shoes in a bright Soul Red color. Now, click your heels.

2013 Mazda 3 Grand Touring

Price as tested: $26,420

EPA mileage: 28 City; 40 Highway

posted 1 year ago

Likes: Mazda is concentrating on its Skyactive high-compression, 155hp, 2-liter engine, which returns 40 mpg on the highway. It’s a little slow on takeoff, but it’s still fun to drive, and the 6-speed auto transmission shifts quickly and has a manual override, if you’re fidgety. The secret to the economy/performance package is high compression (13:1) and very long intakes that go 4-2-1, so that the extra heat can be dissipated. The Mazda 3 has decent handling, thanks to front/rear sway bars, effective discs all round, and does 0-60 in about 8 seconds. The dash is well-organized, with my favorite “3-wheels” for temp/mode/fan, and numerous steering wheel controls. The stereo delivered the usual AM/FM/CD/XM/MP3 with Bluetooth hands-free phone capability. Extras include air-conditioning with pollen filter, power windows (one-touch up-down on driver’s side), power door locks, and intermittent front and rear wipers. The rear liftgate opens to a good-sized trunk and rear seats split 60-40. Safety items include multiple air bags, active front headrests, side impact bags. ABS traction control and dynamic stability control.

Dislikes: Rear visibility demands a camera, as the high tail for increased trunk space and almost wagon-sized C-pillars create a noticeable blind spot. Road noise is the usual problem.

Fun to drive ****

Fun to look at ***

Overall ownership experience ***

Verdict: The Skyactive engine package gave Mazda a big jump on its competitors when it was introduced, and 40 mpg is now the target for this class, which includes the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Subaru Impreza. The Mazda 3’s gas mileage is up almost 30% from the 2011 model and it’s competitively priced at a base of $23,500, though I’d pass on the $1500 technology package on this car. It smacks of the old “undercoating and Scotch guard interior treatment”. Thank God the Cheshire Cat grille is almost gone.

Verdict: Give Kia credit for pushing the limit of style in this segment, with consequent compromises in space and visibility. Kia got away with this approach with the Soul, so it may work. Comparison shoppers who need more room should check out the new Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV-4, Honda CRV, Subaru Outback and Ford Escape. Buy a little Tom Tom instead of the $1,200 Nav package and eschew the $2,000 luxury package and you’re down to $29,200, which is competitive. But the gas mileage is a deal-breaker for me.

Gripes: Not as much storage as some competitors (the Scion xB has 70 cubic feet). Could be quieter, AWD would be attractive option. Dashboard design still a bit clunky. Premium package is a whopping $2,500 for Nav, Sirius, heated leather seats and auto climate control. 22.9 mpg is marginal, and I’d have to think hard about that. By the way ! is the top line package. Really.

Fun to drive ***

Fun to look at ****

Overall experience****

Verdict: This charming small wagon is good value and has been a big hit for Kia with 115,000 sold in 2012 – more than the entire Scion line. The 164 bhp engine scoots it right along, and it handles quite well for a tall box. Too bad Kia seems to have dropped last year’s Track’ster idea. That chopped, three-door concept, had a 250-horsepower turbo four, 6-speed manual transmission, fender flares, wide wheels, and electronic all-wheel drive. Unsually for Kia, I’d say it’s missing a bet.

2013 Kia Rio SX

posted 1 year ago

Price: $21,340 Mileage: 30 city, 40 highway

Likes: Only the name carries over from past, forgettable Rios and the 2012 makeover is little updated. That said, it’s well-proportioned and very competitive with a 138 hp, direct-injection DOHC 4-cylinder, 6-speed automatic with paddle-shfiters and 0-60 in 9.4 seconds. Simple dash, controls easy to understand and use. Mileage approaches 40 mpg on the highway. Rear camera is useful, because the thick C-pillars and high deck obscure vision. However, as a tradoff, the trunk is 15 cubic feet and when the split rear seat is folded down there’s a lot of room. Top-line SX model as tested included leather, heated front seats navigation and a moon roof. Safety features include multiple airbags and side curtains, traction control, ABS (discs all round), hill holder and electronic stability. Superior stereo has AM/FM/CD/XM/MP3 Bluetooth etc. 100,000-mile warranty and 5yr/60,000-mile roadside assistance

Gripes: Some highway noise, but nothing like the little Hondas. As I said last year, $2,350 seems like a lot for navigation, push-button start, a sunroof and leather seats. Buy a Garmin and take a vacation. Suspension is on the choppy side of firm, but handling much more capable than older models.

Fun to drive ***

Fun to look at ***

Overall experience***

Verdict: The Kia Rio remains a good-looking contender, with the top level SX having a base price of only $17,700. We’re approaching the end of the model year, so look for deals. City mileage was 30 mpg, which is enough that you quit calculating it.

All Charged Up

posted 1 year ago

Chevrolet Cruz Hybrid was one winner in the face-off.

By Paul Duchene

The world of electric cars is changing rapidly but it was still quite an achievement for Bengt Halvorson of the Northwest Automotive Press Association to gather 17 electric, diesel and hybrid vehicles for Drive Revolution, a comparison test at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry on July 11. It certainly seemed like a “Portlandia” event in the self-proclaimed greenest city.

Press fleets rarely have more than one or two oddballs on each coast and the vehicles had to be shipped to Portland, Oregon, especially the six pure electrics, which couldn’t driven in further than Hood River anyway. On hand were 18 journalists who chose their favorite cars in each of the three categories at the end of the day, and 15 manufacturer’s representatives to answer questions.

Electric cars included the Fiat 500E, Ford Focus electric, Mitsubishi – MiEV, Honda Fit, Nissan Leaf, Smart Electric and Scion iQ, which was a late arrival, and not insured for us to drive. That summarizes Toyota’s marketing of that unfortunate vehicle. I drove one 750 miles in the UK, and thought it excellent.

I agreed with the Fiat 500E electric coupe, which was a blast to drive – for about 60 miles anyway. It will undoubtedly win many stoplight races, chirping tires at will, was finished in Electric Orange Metallic and had a stylish interior in orange white and black that could only be Italian. Available only in California for now, it retails for $33,495 – but when did you see an electric car that was more than just sensible shoes? This is a 4-inch, high-heeled, single-strap stiletto from Milan.

To me the hubring Chevrolet Volt is dated, with an interior clunkily reminiscent of its 2007 origins. The car business has come far in six years – electric cars business have actually gained credibility in that time. At $45,540 the Volt is also expensive – almost $10,000 more than the Prius or Leaf. No need to go into the powertrain, suffice to say Southern Pacific nailed diesel electric power in 1934. To me the Lexus 600h was eye-popping cool, even though my colleague San Moses said he wouldn’t vote for anything that cost $128,529. But I was seduced by the 450h in Scottsdale this spring. Covering the classic car auctions, I drove about 700 miles in a week, at an amazing 35 mpg. I also noted that the 600h’s detail finish was superb, and the bamboo wood quite the last word in elegance. The Audi A8 was handsome and fast, but feels somewhat out of place. A really BIG Audi? Next thing you know Volkswagen will bring back the ill-phaeted Phaeton. Oh wait, they are…

The Chevrolet Cruze made it two wins for The General, but I thought it noisy, and neither stylish or well done. At $25,795, it was undoubtedly good value and a handy performer, but against the $28,690 Volkswagen Beetle convertible TDI, it was just an airport rental car. In bright white, with a black leather interior, the VW convertible is an even better upgrade of the funky New Beetle, than the curved windshield Super Beetle was in 1972 over its iconic forefather.

Speaking of airport rental cars, the two electric Honda Fits were also blisteringly fast in “power mode” but you couldn’t get away from the idea that every penny that could be pinched, had been. Equally surprising was how old-fashioned the Smart car now feels. Electric or not, 1998 was 15 YEARS ago, and it sure feels like it. The Mitsubish i-MiEV seems to work well enough, but it’s oddly proportioned for American roads, as tall and narrow as one of those little “toaster” vans you see running around airports.

Overall, it seems that electric and hybrid offerings fall into the “so goofy it must be alt-power” like the Mitsubishi iMiEV, Nissan Leaf, Toyota Prius or original Honda Insight, or so bland you can’t tell what powers it, like the Ford Focus and Fusion, Honda Civic and Accord, Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Camry, or Highlander.

Also, please can we get away from little car diagrams with colored arrows zooming back and forwards to tell you if you’re accelerating or decelerating. If you don’t know that, should you even be driving? How about a screen in the back, for the occupant of the child seat, instead? Oh, no “green” symbols either, please. I really don’t like my dash being engulfed by green vines, like Sleeping Beauty’s castle.

As I asked one representative: Couldn’t you just build something that’s so totally cool, I’d WANT to drive it, whatever powered it? Which provoked the usual rejoinder to such questions, from one of my colleagues. “I’m sorry we never talk about future products.”

For what it’s worth, my runners-up were the Mercedes Benz GLK 250 Blu-Tec 4-Matic, which was surprisingly fast with a 200 bhp, 2-liter turbo diesel at $50,485. I also picked the Kia Optima hybrid, which is handsome and has been tweaked to have a much better power delivery, this year. It costs $32,275.

In the electric class, I was also impressed with the overall finish of the Nissan Leaf, at $36,910, even though it still looks funny. The Leaf’s price was cut this year this year and (probably as a result) it sold 2,225 units in June, four times last June’s total.

The Ford C-Max and Fusion electric seemed acceptable in most regards, but I dislike the distracting and unreliable touch-screen almost as much as the 68 buttons on the Cadillac Allante dash, and that rules them out for me. Ford is also scrambling to increase hybrid mileages to approach the sticker claims, offering technology upgrades. Stay posted on that. Like buyouts at The Oregonian, this may be only the first one.

As a final note, with U.S. sales on track for over 15 million units this year, how ARE the electrics and hybrids performing? After 6 months, the Toyota Prius is the leading hybrid, with a total of 116,000 liftback, C and V models sold. The surprisingly good Toyota Camry hybrid has sold 23,834 units and the Lexus hybrid variations total 20,742. Ford’s C-Max hybrid wagon has sold 17,858 units, the Fusion hybrid 20,283. The Chevrolet Volt has 9,855 units out the door. In the pure electrics, nothing comes close to the Leaf’s 9,839 6-month total.

Dislikes: Plain Jane Accord is $8K cheaper than loaded V6 version, but it’s not fast, has lots of highway noise and the CVT transmission is annoying. 23.5 mpg around town, so 35 mpg highway might be a stretch. Cloth interior still cheap for an Accord, rear seat does not fold down. No XM radio. Unlocking doors to let passengers out is a pain. Cheaper wheels and tires can be curbed.

Fun to Drive: **

Fun to Look at: ***

Overall Experience: ***

Verdict: Still a good lesson in not cutting corners, the upgraded version of this car is significantly better in all regards and will be much more fun to own. I’d opt for a low-mileage or leftover 2012 V6.

Verdict: Very pretty car, with good manners. Combines bargain price with decent performance, good looks and decent inside space. In all, an excellent package for $24K, a hatchback sedan that’s really got away from the four-door Rabbit effect. Despite the recent fuss, estimated mileage was about right. I’d have preferred a 6-speed stick.

2014 Acura RLX Advance

Price as tested: $61,345

20 mpg city, 31 mpg highway

posted 1 year ago

Likes: Capable mid-size sedan with every bell and whistle you can imagine. 3.7-liter SOHC, 310 horsepower VTEC V6 has plent of zip, 6-speed auto is worth using manually with paddles. Controls simple, all seats are heated leather and front seats are 12-way adjustable, multiple safety systems, include airbags, traction control, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, departure warning, blind spot information, collision mitigation braking, navigation with voice recognition, real time traffic conditions, AM/FM/DVD-A/CD/DTS/XM radio, with 14 speakers, Bluetooth hands-free phone. Power moonroof, navigation with voice recognition, automatic brake warning, very cool multiple jewel LED headlights.Dislikes: Expensive and, dare I say it, over-engineered. Still with no cachet. Bland exterior. Thirsty.Fun to Drive: ** Fun to Look at: ** Overall Experience: ** Verdict: Acura ditched the slow selling AWD RL (379 total sales in 2012) for the front-wheel drive RLX, clearly aimed at the 5 series BMW. Even with the RLX’s four-wheel steering, an Edmunds track day determined that a 2011 BMW 535i came out ahead on every category. Then there’s the issue of branding, which leads to resale demand. BMW sold 56,798 5 Series sedans in 2012. That popularity is likely to be sustained throughout the 5 Series life, while Acura is looking more and more like an expensive historical footnote.

Dislikes: Expensive when fully loaded, though LX model does start at $28,675. Dash controls busy (80 buttons), power side doors are fiddly to work. No door lock on passenger side; if you have to use key, you must risk stepping into traffic. Second row seats must be removed for maximum storage; they do not fold forward or down, which is a nuisance. No 4WD availability.

Fun to drive ***

Fun to look at **

Overall ownership experience ***

Verdict: Still the best mini-van you can buy – though you won’t spend this much unless you have a job for it to do. That said, it’s a no-brainer, with near Accord performance in something that feels twice as big. Tumble-home third row seats a brilliant idea. However the Toyota Sienna offers AWD – and at this price you’d probably want it – while the Nissan Quest has a second row of seats that fold away. Still, if you have multiple kids who play sports, you can figure on a useful 250K miles from the Odyssey. This might be the only car your children know, until they get their driving licenses.

2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD

Price as tested: $30,415

25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway

posted 1 year ago

Likes: New Mazda SUV is sporty
and useful at the same time, with positive steering, good handling and firm
ride. In fact it won NWAPA’s compact category in the 2012 Mudfest contest. The Skyactive
DOHC 2-liter four-cylinder engine offers 155 hp, with direct injection, variable
valve-timing and 13:1 compression to make all that happen. 0-60 comes up in
about 8 seconds, not bad for a 3,300lb AWD SUV. The six-speed automatic
transmission can be manually shifted, there are disc brakes all round and the
steering is electronic, but has good feel. The dash is well-organized and
well-finished, including a 5.8-inch screen, with a rear-view camera, and the
test car had dual climate controls, heated leather seats (driver’s has
3-position memory), 40-20-40 rear seat split, multiple air bags and
rain-sensing wipers. The stereo was a Bose AM/FM/CD/XM/MP3 and Bluetooth
hands-free phone capability.

Dislikes: Not many. It must be
driven hard to be quick, which suggests towing anything bigger than a Sunfish
might be a challenge. Doors must be closed firmly or they don’t latch, and that
includes the rear hatch. I’d rather have the 6-speed stick than the 5-speed
automatic, to get the best out of the revvy motor. Brake pedal requires firm
pressure.

Fun to drive ****

Fun to look at ***

Overall ownership experience ****

Verdict: This reminds me a lot of
what the first Subaru Forester first set out to do, 15 years ago. It’s noticeably smaller than the
CX-9 and CX7, but boxier and more practical. It’s lively and fun and does not
assume you’re going seriously off road or will be pulling a trailer. Thank God
the Cheshire Cat grille is gone. Now, where are my sensible shoes?

Dislikes: Could be quicker but 30
mpg is a good trade-off. No third seat, and limited towing capacity with
4-banger.

Fun to Drive: *** Fun to Look at: *** Overall Experience: ***

Verdict: Jury’s out this year, with a vastly improved Toyota Rav-4
coming to market. My guess is it will take sales from the others and the CR-V
will stay comfortably ahead, until the next redesign. Will last for 250,000
miles, and buyers could reasonably expect their children to go from baby seats,
to driving it to the prom.

Gripes: Navigation system still not intuitive, console infotainment “mouse” control annoying.

Fun to drive ****

Fun to look at ***

Overall experience****

Verdict: Unobtrusive as a Savile Row suit. Quiet and surprisingly economical. Will undoubtedly last for 300,000 miles. Amortize the purchase price over that distance and it’s .23 cents per mile. Of course the gas will cost you about $30,000 in that time, at $3.50 a gallon.

Gripes: Like all Civics, the ILX is offensively noisy at highway speeds. 24 mpg not impressive in this category. No spare tire.

Fun to drive **

Fun to look at *

Overall experience**

Verdict: 40 mpg is the new 30, and when bigger cars like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord get better mileage than this pipsqueak, it’s clear that somebody at Acura was surfing the web during office hours. I’m not sure where Honda goes from here; the Acura ILX is small for the money, noisy and doesn't get very good mileage. The bar in this category has been raised a lot since this platform was laid down five or six years ago. Maybe this is Honda’s Cadillac Cimarron: no matter how that was fancied up, it was a Chevy Cavalier at heart. Would you pay $32,000 for a Honda Civic? Thought not. Me neither. Buy an Accord or a Camry and have some decent resale too.

Dislikes: Not many. Middle passenger in back seat won’t be comfortable. Third seat confined to short, athletic children. Not much rear storage with all seats up (17 cu feet), though underseat locker helps. Thirsty – 16 mpg around town. Traffic proximity warnings a bit cautious.

Fun to drive ***

Fun to look at ***

Overall ownership experience ***

Verdict: Useful mid-size SUV, but the new CX-5 sold 43,319 units this year, all at the expense of the CX-7 and CX-9, so mileage must be a big factor. The CX-9 is good but it’s showing its age. If 40 mpg is the new 30 for mid-sized sedans, 27 mpg is the new 15 for mid-sized SUVs. Unless gas prices continue to go down, the disparity in sales between the CX-9 and CX-5 will widen.

2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD

Price as tested: $30,415

25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway

posted 1 year ago

Likes: New Mazda SUV is sporty
and useful at the same time, with positive steering, good handling and firm
ride. In fact it won NWAPA’s compact category in the 2012 Mudfest contest. The Skyactive
DOHC 2-liter four-cylinder engine offers 155 hp, with direct injection, variable
valve-timing and 13:1 compression to make all that happen. 0-60 comes up in
about 8 seconds, not bad for a 3,300lb AWD SUV. The six-speed automatic
transmission can be manually shifted, there are disc brakes all round and the
steering is electronic, but has good feel. The dash is well-organized and
well-finished, including a 5.8-inch screen, with a rear-view camera, and the
test car had dual climate controls, heated leather seats (driver’s has
3-position memory), 40-20-40 rear seat split, multiple air bags and
rain-sensing wipers. The stereo was a Bose AM/FM/CD/XM/MP3 and Bluetooth
hands-free phone capability.

Dislikes: Not many. It must be
driven hard to be quick, which suggests towing anything bigger than a Sunfish
might be a challenge. Doors must be closed firmly or they don’t latch, and that
includes the rear hatch. I’d rather have the 6-speed stick than the 5-speed
automatic, to get the best out of the revvy motor. Brake pedal requires firm
pressure.

Fun to drive ****

Fun to look at ***

Overall ownership experience ****

Verdict: This reminds me a lot of
what the first Subaru Forester first set out to do, 15 years ago. It’s noticeably smaller than the
CX-9 and CX7, but boxier and more practical. It’s lively and fun and does not
assume you’re going seriously off road or will be pulling a trailer. Thank God
the Cheshire Cat grille is gone. Now, where are my sensible shoes?

Gripes: Not as much storage as some
competitors, especially with seats up. Could be quieter, AWD would be
attractive option. Dashboard design still a bit clunky.

Fun to drive ***

Fun to look at ****

Overall experience****

Verdict: Charming and useful small
wagon that’s very good value as well. Responsive and handles quite well for
tall, boxy configuration. Look for Kia to grow the brand the same way Mini has,
and check out Chicago Auto Show Track’ster, a chopped three-door concept, which has 250-horsepower
turbo four, 6-speed manual transmission, big fender flares and wide wheels like
Renault R5 Turbo, and electronic all-wheel drive. WRC anyone?